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Any Advce for Frequent and Early Waking Problems? Please?
I was diagnosed in June 2011 and have been 100% compliant.
Last summer I had a wonderful experience of sleeping 13 hours with only one trip to the bathroom. It was great!
I am trying to observe good sleep hygiene but even when I am really good about the hygiene (e.g., no computer in the evening; early dinner; no alcohol after 7:00 pm; etc., etc.) I have a problem that is really frustrating to me: I seem to wake too early every morning and usually can't get back to sleep. I also wake two or three times during the night.
A few observations: If I dream, I seem to feel better. It is possible that I dream and don't remember my dreams because some days I seem to feel pretty o.k. but have no memory of any dreaming.
I also feel better if I get three to four hours of uninterrupted sleep. As it is, I seem barely to get six to seven hours of sleep and the hours are interrupted. I would much, much prefer to get seven to eight hours with only one -- or best of all, NO -- wake-up interruption.
Any advice or suggestions from some of you been-there, done-that veterans?
The good news: I don't feel the drenching, constant exhaustion that I felt before my diagnosis last year. Still, I am more tired than I would like to be. If I could sleep longer and with fewer interruptions I know I would feel much, much better.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on
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Thanks for the keep-at-it encouragement, Terry. Trust me on this: I'm going to keep at it!
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A Good-News Report to All:
I've now had two very good nights of sleep in a row, complete with dreams and only one bathroom break for both nights. I felt rested and really well yesterday. I feel the same today. No brain fog, either.
While mindful of Terry Vella's advice not to overthink this, I pass along what seems to have made the difference in case it can help someone else:
- Phillips Respironics True Blue nasal mask. I had been using nasal pillow masks. I think that for me -- and we're all different -- a nasal-style mask works much better. I will have other comments about this below.
- Black scarf over eyes. I have no problem with CPAP masks, but have never been able to tolerate sleep masks. By contrast, a black scarf exerts no pressure on my eye area and can even cover my face completely, mummy style. I'm light-sensitive, blocking out light is very important for me and makes a difference.
- Bedtime snack. Chris H suggested eating something. I've taken up almond butter on a small piece of sprouted wheat bread.
About the nasal mask: I used one of the older style nasal mask when I started on CPAP therapy last year. I had better sleep results. Unfortunately, I started having abrasion problems with the mask, which prompted the switch to the nasal pillow-style masks. To avoid abrasion problems this time around, I'm doing two things:
- I'm careful not to tighten the headgear straps too much (which is what I think I did wrong before) ; and
- I'm using RemZzzzs mask liners. I found that they seem to work better for me if I use two at a time, not just one. And, yes, I wash them and reuse. It's too soon for me to tell how many uses I get out each pair. I am also mindful that I can create my own. Knowing me, I'll stick to buying, not making.
All I can say for now is: So far, so good. What's more, last night I had a better night of sleep than I deserved: I went to a friend's birthday dinner party and ate late and drank celebratory adult beverages far into the night.
Finally, of the three things listed above as the most likely reason for my better nights of sleep (nasal mask; black scarf; bedtime snack), I suspect it is getting the right mask FOR ME. (Might not be the right mask FOR YOU.)
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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on
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Well done, ZolliStar, every night will be different so if you do have a 'bad' night just let it go and say it's only one night, but try to keep everything as consistent as possible. If something works for you keep at it.
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